Immokalee Workers: The Power of Perseverance
On the western edge of inland Florida, the swamps were drained, leaving prime land for agriculture. In fact, the area surrounding Immokalee is a major source of tomatoes in the United States. It is also a place where there is a history of migrant workers being treated poorly: expected to live in harsh conditions and receive unreliable pay for a consistent hard day’s work.
The Southwest Florida chapter of Call To Action has been actively trying to assist those who pick tomatoes since 1993. I spoke with chapter member, Ellen McNally, to hear the story. First, the group worked to get restaurants to pay an extra penny per pound for tomatoes. This would almost double the wages of a migrant worker. CTA organized protests, and first Taco Bell, then McDonalds, then others agreed to pay minimal increase. A victory, to be certain.
In 2000 the Coalition of Immokalee Workers (CIW) formed a national consumer network to further the cause. The CIW with the help of CTA members instituted a Fair Food Program in 2011. This is a partnership between farmworkers, Florida tomato growers, and stores that sell the tomatoes.In essence, the store agrees to only buy Florida tomatoes from growers who treat the farmworkers fairly and pay them justly. This is from the CIW webpage ciw-online.org:
The Fair Food Program truly represents a win-win-win for workers, growers, and retailers:
Workers receive protection of their human rights in the workplace and increased wages;
Growers gain an effective risk management system, a more stable workforce and a means to distinguish their product in an increasingly competitive marketplace; and
Retailers receive a system that protects their brands from the reputational risks of supply chain labor abuses by eliminating those abuses, not papering them over, a far more effective means to protect their interests than the traditional model of corporate social responsibility.
The most recent good news is that Ahold USA, the parent company to Giant, Stop & Shop, and Peapod grocery stores, just joined Fair Food Program. This will bring worker-certified Fair Food tomatoes to over 50 million new customers a month in nearly 780 new stores in 14 states. That is a big difference, which makes a big difference in the lives of farmworkers.
Sometimes change happens slowly. This action was started 22 years ago. Many people have worked for justice since that time. I am sure some days were hard and people wondered if they should keep going or throw in the towel. But the silencing of outcries is exactly what those who conduct unjust practices want. This movement is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of every voice. And, they are not finished yet.
